WCA November 2023

Industry News

Initiative to help manufacturers adopt latest technologies The Manufacturing Technologies

technologies such as automation and robotics, data and artificial intelligence for manufacturing, sustainable manu- facturing towards net zero and the use of additive manufacturing techniques. Figures from International Federation of Robotics’ World Robotics 2023 Report: Asia ahead of Europe and the Americas show the UK in 23 rd place in terms of the global utilisation of industrial robots in manufacturing. One of the Knowledge Hubs at MACH 2024 will aim to educate companies on how the technology can be used to automate many processes to improve productivity. Commenting on the initiative, James Selka DL, CEO of the MTA, said, “Although industrial robot installations in the UK were up three per cent last year, this was just a tenth of what is happening in Germany and also behind the likes of France, Spain and Italy. Our Knowledge Hubs at MACH 2024 aim to reverse the decline and enable the UK to re-establish itself as a sovereign manufacturer. To do that, we have to recognise the importance of

Association (MTA) will use its MACH 2024 event to launch a new initiative to help UK manufacturers become more competitive while improving efficiency and sustainability. A series of “Knowledge Hubs” will feature at the event, being held at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, from 15 to 19 April 2024, designed to encourage UK engineering-based manufacturers to adopt new technology and techniques to enable them to compete globally in a sustainable manner. is currently one of the slowest of the G7, characterised by low productivity, low wages and poor investment. In many cases, global competitors have not just caught up with the UK but have overtaken it in terms of productivity and investment. Adoption of new technology and implementing the latest techniques in manufacturing processes is one way to boost the UK’s economic output. The MTA’s Knowledge Hubs at MACH 2024 will focus on educating users in when and how to adopt new The UK’s economic growth

James Selka, CEO, MTA

investing in the latest technologies for improving manufacturing efficiency and optimising productivity. Our role is to help UK manufacturers focus on the new technology and provide impartial advice and way-finding on when and how to adopt.” Another of the MTA’s Knowledge Hubs will focus on the adoption of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing – the latest technology designed to help manufacturing achieve agility through improved production processes while reducing costs and streamlining the supply chain. Additive manufacturing is also a technology with potential to revolutionise the way parts and products are designed and manufactured. Manufacturing Technologies Association www.machexhibition.com AWI, which has two UK sites in the West Midlands and Yorkshire, was purchased by directors Tom Mander, Andrew Du Plessis and Adam Shaw in January 2023. The new management team has overseen a significant growth in sales, with orders up nearly 40 per cent, placing the company on course for record turnover in its 77-year history. Investment in people and increasing stockholding of its 62 high-performance alloys, to more than 400 tonnes, has helped the company attract spring makers, fastener manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, nuclear and med-tech sectors. The company is further investing in a four-spindle annealing line spooler, a new multi-head drawing machine and two single-hole drawing machines. Alloy Wire International www.alloywire.com

First machine arrives as AWI starts £500,000 investment drive Alloy Wire International (AWI), which supports more than 6,000 customers across 65 countries, has purchased a new wet drawing machine that will allow the company to significantly increase capacity. The new machine is the first in a £500,000 investment drive, which is in response to AWI’s growing order book. seamlessly into the production set up, with specific features to help reduce lead times. Capabilities of the £145,000 machine include pre-programming to allow for set spool weights or wire lengths, and flexibility to work with a wider range of both inlet and finish sizes. This in turn increases the range of mechanical properties that can be offered across all of its 62 grades.

The AWI team worked with the manu- facturer to ensure the machine will fit

Tom managing director of AWI, said, “Our sales have risen by over £6mn in the last eighteen months and our pipeline of orders is looking extremely healthy – the time was right to push the button on upgrading our manufacturing capabilities.” Commenting on the new machine, he added that it has been “customised for our operations and will allow us to consider work we have previously turned down.” Mander,

AWI is investing in new machinery to help expand capacity and capability

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November 2023